Paul Ryan: Inner-City Culture Discourages Work

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan says that men who live in inner cities suffer from a culture that does not encourage hard work – or work of any kind.

"We have got this tailspin of culture, in our inner cities in particular, of men not working and just generations of men not even thinking about working or learning the value and the culture of work," the Wisconsin Republican said on Bill Bennett's "Morning in America" radio show, according to The Huffington Post.

"There is a real culture problem here that has to be dealt with."

Ryan’s comments came after Bennett questioned him about the "fatherless problem" in inner cities, and children not growing up to see the results of working parents.

The former GOP vice presidential candidate said that people must find a way to help inner-city residents who are struggling to make a living.

"If you're driving from the suburb to the sports arena downtown by these blighted neighborhoods, you can't just say, 'I'm paying my taxes, government's got to fix that.' You need to get involved," Ryan said during the interview.

Ryan said in January he would give the "war on poverty," declared by President Lyndon Johnson 50 years ago, a failing grade. He also said that means-tested programs such as food stamps and Medicaid "trap" people in poverty because getting a job or earning higher incomes means less eligibility for benefits.

Next month he’s expected to unveil a budget proposal that will include federal programs for poor people while saving money for the federal government.
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